Hobbies And Interests
Daddy Long-Legs
Daddy long-legs is a common name for the Pholcus phalangioides (Family Pholcidae) spider. The nickname come for the spiders' unusually long, spindly legs, which can grow to 50 mm., significantly longer than the body length of two to 10 mm. The bodies of these spiders are usually the color and shape of a peanut shell; this type of spider can be found throughout Nevada County, particularly in dark and damp areas, such as under rocks and in basements.
Garden Spider
The garden spider, which as the name implies, is usually found in gardens, is native to Europe, but can be found throughout Nevada County and other parts of California. This spider's coloring can range from light yellow to dark gray, with different color markings on the back. Adult female garden spiders range in length from a quarter to three-quarters of an inch, while the males are slightly smaller, a quarter to half an inch.
Black Widow
The Latrodectus hesperus (Family Theridiidae) spider, which is found in warm regions in the Western United States, including Nevada County and the surrounding area, is nicknamed the "black widow" because the females of the species typically eat the males after mating. Female black widows are black in color and typically have a red or yellow marking that looks similar to an hourglass on their abdominal area. Adult females of this species are typically about 15 mm. long; males are generally half this size and are brownish in color.
Tarantula
The largest of the four major types of spiders found in Nevada County is the tarantula (Aphonopelma spp.), which belong to the Family Theraphosidae, are a type of spider that's commonly found both in trees and on the ground in tropical areas. The tarantulas found within the state are generally brown, 1 to 4 inches long and much thicker than other species of spiders. All tarantulas produce venom, but tarantula venom generally produces a day-long discomfort to humans; there are no records of fatalities to humans on record.